Feds shut down poker site

One of the world's most successful poker sites, FullTiltPoker.com, has been shut down by the FBI.

Back in April, the Feds arrested 11 people for falling foul of US internet gambling laws, including the three founders of the web's biggest such sites.

The site itself has now been shut. Viewing from the UK shows a simple system error message but the LA Times spotted a large banner blaming the US Department of Justice.

A statement from Alderney's Gambling Control Commission said four companies trading collectively as Full Tilt Poker have had their licences suspended. They may not register new customers, accept money from existing customers, allow customers to withdraw money or permit any poker to be played on the site.

The tiny island's regulator said it took the action following US investigations and the unsealing of indictments by the US Attorney General's Office.

Andre Wilsenach, Executive Director of the Alderney Gambling Control Commission said: "The decision to suspend the eGambling licence was in the public interest and, because of the seriousness and urgency of the matter, it required that immediate action be taken ahead of the regulatory hearing."

The Commission has also issued hearing notices to the four companies: Vantage Ltd, Oxalic Ltd, Filco Ltd and Orinic Ltd. They must appear in London, rather than Alderney (population 2,400).